Definition of psychological profile
The scientific analysis of trace psychological evidence in order to assist with the detection, suppression and knowledge of criminal behaviour
The specific uses of psychological profiling
- Detection of offenders - Distribution of police resources (patrols etc) - Public Education & Safety
Important parts of profiling
- use of models and theories related to both abnormal and ‘normal’ psychology (e.g psychological disorders, trait-theory, decision-making),use of personal insight and knowledge of the law
When are the two profiling models employed?
- Serial offenders (3 or more separate yet related events)
What makes an offender a serial offender?
- 3 or more separate yet related crimes (don’t have to be arrested)
Clinical Model (FBI) US
Goal is to create a psychological profile of the offender, get inside the head of offenders
Experimental/Statistical Model (UK)
- Goal is to create a statistically-based profile of factors related to the location of the offender and his/her crimes
FBI profiling process (4 stages)
1) Data Assimilation Stage 2)Examination of crime scenes 3) Crime scene reconstruction 4) creation of offender profile
Stage 1 FBI profiling process
Gathering and assimilating all available data that might be related to the case (e.g police reports, crime scene photos, pathologist reports)
- Attempt to identify the offenders MO (modus operandi) and/or signature
Modus Operandi (MO)
Refers to the particular way by which a person performs a particular task (e.g studies for examination)
Signature
Any specific and identifiable action or characteristic of the offender that reflects their nature
Stage 2 (FBI profiling)
Examination of the crime scenes in order to ascertain whether the scene is representative of an organised or disorganised offender
Stage 3 FBI profiling
Crime Scene Reconstruction - use of information gathered in stages 1 & 2 to reconstruct the crime scene in a way that allows for deciding whether the offender is organised or disorganised
Organised Offenders
-Average to above average intelligence -Socially & sexually competent -High birth order (first or second born) -Skilled worker - Controlled mood during crime -Precipitating situational stress -Follows crimes in news -May leave town after crime
Disorganised offender
- Below average intelligence
- Socially inadequate and sexually incompetent
- Low to middle birth order
- unskilled worker
- anxious mood during crime
- Minimal situational stress
- Does not follow crime in news
- Lives/works near crime scene
Ted Bundy, organised or disorganised?
organised
Ted Bundy
Assaulted/murdered at least 30 women (rape and necrophilia
- crimes occured in at least 7 different states during a 4-year period
Jeffrey Bahner
- Disorganised
- all in miwaukee
Stage 4 (FBI profiling)
Creation of an offender profile that includes physical elements as well as identifiers related to their personality (e.g introverted and solitary therefore probably single)